B&A: If And When You Become Published, Are You Going To Read Your Book Reviews?

Question

Okay, this will be a tad bit of a rant. I'm listening to Laurell K. Hamilton's short story collection right now. And she is so talented. I really believe that. The first Anita Blake short story was in there, and it was amazing. I loved Anita whenever the series started, but now she's making out with women while getting it from behind!

It's obvious that after 19 sequels, that Ms. Hamilton has never looked at a single review of her books on amazon, or goodreads, or anywhere. She doesn't care. Why doesn't she care? I would care! If something is wrong with my books, I would trust my readers--my FANS--to know.

Okay, that's the end of my rant.

So, if and when you are published, would you read your book reviews? Would you change something, or consider changing something, if your fans thought something might be wrong?

If not, why?

Answer 1

For the lulz, I would.

Answer 2

1. How do you create a title for you stories? I fail at titles. I can't force it- I have to wait until it comes to me 2. Do you listen to music while writing? If so, who and do you think they affect how you write? No, it distracts me 3. What inspires you? My inspiration for everything is Princess Diana- cheesy, yes, but I love her. My writing inspiration is just all those books out there that are proof of a person's dream being made into a reality 4. Where do you get your Inspiration? (Yes, this is a completely different from 3) um... 5. Do you let others read your work? Sometimes... 6. Does anyone know about your writing? The people here in B&A :} and my dad kind of does 7. What other hobbies do you have that may affect your writing? (ie. like dancing, you might write a book about dancing) I don't think I'd really write a story about my dancing, or soccer, maybe one about acting though... maybe. That's usually not my type of writing though 8. Have you ever collaborated with anyone to write? if not, would you ever like to? No, and nah. I'd get to bossy and want it to be more like my vision and not theirs XD 9. Do you blog? I tried, can't keep up with it 10. How do you create characters? They come to me, and then never leave my head :} 11. How/ why did you become a writer? Are you planning to make it a career? It's something I've always enjoyed, and no. That's too lonely of a life and not much pay or socialness going on

Answer 3

Well, when I wrote fanfiction, I loved getting reviews. It made me get a goofy grin on my face.

I probably wouldn't be able to resist not to read my book reviews.

I like to know what my readers like, love, hate, have indifference towards, and ane other emotion that they can come up with.

As for considering changing something...I would go down a line of what if's if the idea intrigued me. It may not go ane further than that. But if it does...well...the idea inspired me then, and props to that reader/fan.

I mean, I take into consideration right now about my readers likes and dislikes about a love interest and a particular storyline.

Why would I be ane different if I were published?

Answer 4

I would because, I mean, they took the time to read MY book when they could've read anyone else's. I'd feel chuffed, to be honest :) Y'know when you get your book to a publisher and they send it off to other famous authors and newspapers and magazines, and then you get those full reviews (publishers only take out necessary words for the front cover of the book)? I'd read them ALL. If I catch a review on the internet, I'd read it still, even if it's a hate-speech. I wanna see what all readers think and maybe improve on my writing (not my story - my story's set.) And - n'awww - if it's a lil' letter from a fan telling me what they think, I'd read it and reply back. It's the least I can do!

Answer 5

I read the reviews for my fanfiction series, and respond to them. My attitude to reading anything, either fanfic or published works is rather 'Don't like, don't read,' however. Fanfic is rather different to published works, though in that we are obliged on most archives to warn for adult situations, violence, rape, M/M, F/F, fetish, etc, so if a reader looks at all those warnings, hates those subjects and still reads them -- well, *boggles*, I just don't understand that mentality.



Picking up a published book, unless it's clearly GBLTQ (Gay, Bi, Lesbian, Transgender, Queerfolk) literature, we have very little idea what is going to be in it. (I read some horrendously-written soft-porn bodice-rippers from about 11 onward, because they masqueraded as romance. )



I think author's primarily write for themselves. That is not to say that if some-one who follows my series would like to see more of a certain character, pairing, or plot idea, I don't take any notice; I do, if it can be written to flow in with the existing plot. But I always think that if a reader finds something they do not like, then rather than spend time writing about it, *they* should go and write something they *do* like. It's far more creative. Were I following an author who suddenly started writing stories that I felt were poor, or no longer interesting, I would just drop them. There are always more authors and books to read.

Answer 6

I would definitely read my reviews! I like to know what people honestly think of my work and if something is wrong enough that a bunch of different people are pointing it out, I'd like to know and maybe think what I need to do to fix it. I would only change something though if there was a good reason for it and the changes bettered the story. I don't believe in changing something simply because that's what people want if its not true to the story or characters. But I'm definitely open to oppinions, criticism, and suggestions.

Answer 7

I would definitely read them. I'd like to know what my readers think about my work!

After reading the reviews, then taking a close look at my book, I would give their opinions consideration, but the final decision would be based on: Does this fit into my story?

Answer 8

I don't think I'd avoid them if I saw them in the paper or a magazine. I think at first I'd probably seek them out, take them personally [whether good or bad], laugh or cry and then after a while I would be able to get the best parts out of the reviews, take them into account but not let them dominate my writing.



Your always going to get bad reviews. I would consider fans' opinions more important than critics overall, but it's all relative.

When my teacher got his first book published, he mounted all his hate mail and bad reviews. It encourages him apparently.



:)

Answer 9

Yes. In fact it would be very important to me. You see, I'm pretty insecure so I care a lot about what others think about me (cool, ah?). In the case I got published and knowing myself i KNOW that I would read the most reviews I could from the day my book get (hypothetically) published to the day I die

I would stick to my story, but knowing if people hates or loves what I do kinda calms me down. I can't handle the dubiety. I always want to know what people think about me which it's pretty annoying cause I can't.

Well, that's my opinion :)

Best wishes!

Answer 10

I wouldn't. If I read it I would take their words to heart and feel like I need to change everything they find annoying, or bad. I would beat myself up over it, and just to avoid that totally and go on with what I want I wouldn't read any of them. 'Cause let's say someone says they want these two people to be together, the whole time I would write all I would be thinking about is if I should change my book to make them happy or keep what I planned.



Please answer my question as well, but it's long:

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20110205220056AAx6eY1

Answer 11

Sure! I would be interested to know what people think and how I could improve it to make it better and change their views. of course, I wouldn't be able to satisfy everyone, but if its not too big of a thing to change that would invite more people to like it, I would change it. Reviews mean the world to me and my writing on here, why would I stop if I got published when it would mean even more?

Answer 12

Personally, I would. I would want to know what my readers liked and disliked. My writing wouldn't really revolve around what I thought my readers wanted, but I would definitely be interested to know what those who had read my book thought, and how I could honestly improve my writing. (I wouldn't pay attention to rant like "omg, so and so need to frekkin' hook up alredyz" but more constructive reviews I would definitely pay attention to. But to each his own (or her own, in this case).

Answer 13

Yes. I wouldn't be able to help myself. Whatever people thought, I would want to know. Who enjoyed my book? Who hated it? Why did they hate it? Did they have a point?



Etc.



It'd be like, a million times better than just getting critique on this website. :D

Answer 14

Yes, I would. I'm not the kind of person to ignore every single person who dislikes my writing. I would like to hear them out, consider why they think that and hopefully improve.

Answer 15

Yes. Maybe to improve the following books.



Answer my Q? :)

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20110205212422AAQobLI